The Edmonton Police in Canada busted a massive poppy plantation site hidden behind a residence in the city and charged four Indian-origin men. The police described it as an elaborate poppy-growing operation, which is rarely encountered in Canada. Sukhdeep Dhanoa, 42, Sandeep Dandiwal, 33, Gurpreet Singh, 30, and Kulwinder Singh, 40, are each charged with Production of a Controlled Substance, contrary to Section 7(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act in Canada.
The police said that a search operation was executed on a property based on a tip that opium plants were being grown. Investigators found 60,000 plants in the field which had an estimated value of $160,000 to $500,000. "During the two-day investigation, officers also located additional poppy seeds and doda power, which is made by grinding opium poppy pods and is used to make a type of tea with analgesic effects that can be highly addictive," the police said.
“An opium grow of this size is rarely encountered in Canada and even though there was no indication of further processing, due to the volume of plants, it was likely being grown to be sold on the illicit market,” says S/Sgt Marco Antonio. “Any opioid drug, including doda, consumed outside the direction of a doctor or when illicitly produced, can pose significant health risks to the consumer, leading to severe addiction and harm to the community.”
Police seize more than 60,000 opium poppy plants from northeast Edmonton property : The Edmonton Drug and Gang Enforcement (EDGE) Section charge four people in connection to an elaborate poppy-growing operation
— Edmonton Police (@edmontonpolice) October 14, 2025
On July 4, 2025, the EDGE Section… https://t.co/jVIDEWEqUx pic.twitter.com/mlg3JCLokJ
The police said that a search operation was executed on a property based on a tip that opium plants were being grown. Investigators found 60,000 plants in the field which had an estimated value of $160,000 to $500,000. "During the two-day investigation, officers also located additional poppy seeds and doda power, which is made by grinding opium poppy pods and is used to make a type of tea with analgesic effects that can be highly addictive," the police said.
“An opium grow of this size is rarely encountered in Canada and even though there was no indication of further processing, due to the volume of plants, it was likely being grown to be sold on the illicit market,” says S/Sgt Marco Antonio. “Any opioid drug, including doda, consumed outside the direction of a doctor or when illicitly produced, can pose significant health risks to the consumer, leading to severe addiction and harm to the community.”
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